Addictions and Praises

Hmmm, not sure that sounds so good, but might as well tell the truth:). You know you're addicted to something when you think about it at least 4 times a day. This has definitely been my experience with facebook. I really have a love/hate relationship with it. A big part of why I'm drawn to it is because I like feeling connected to friends and family that are too far away for me to visit on a regular or even once a year basis. To feel like we're still a part of each other's lives somehow. To share the excitement of engagements,weddings, babies, and sometimes just the everyday. However, when you find that your mind starts thinking of things in terms of "I should remember to post that" or I'll check real quick, but end up on for 30 minutes to an hour, it really starts to be more of a harmful addiction than a harmless one. Being addicted to the ministry and soul-winning is probably the only "good one" that I can think of:). I'm not saying that everyone using facebook is doing wrong or addicted, just that I've realized how easily it happens. Feeling like you can't turn it off completely because then it would seem like you were all alone and missing out on what friends and family are doing. However, after adding restrictions on usage, I've found that it's not so bad after all. I did go on to post some pics on Thursday, but I've been sticking to my Friday only rule for awhile now. Yes, I may find out a couple days after something important happens, but if someone really wants me to know they can call or e-mail me, right? I've found that I can catch up on everything in an hour or less on one day, rather than getting sucked into it and losing at least an hour out of each day. That's one more hour to spend with the family that the Lord has blessed me with! Yes, there is still quite a few times that my mind wonders what I'm missing, but the Lord is gradually taking away more of the desire to give in to my curiosity. There is also the side of me that argues, "You're wasting opportunities to witness to others or encourage them through posts", but I think there's more chance of doing that if I'm focused on raising the little ones that the Lord has given me so that we can go out together and encourage or witness to others in the community around us. We live in a small town and it's amazing how many people come up to us on a regular basis asking where one of the kids is, etc... If I don't know them, chances are that Scott has worked with or for those people. It's amazing how many positive things they say about the kids and I'm usually the one that walks away encouraged. So, maybe this doesn't make a lot of sense to many people that might end up reading it, but I'm thankful for the waning desire to use facebook. I pray that I don't get sucked back into it, but instead keep focused on "the race that is set before me".

On the list of praises-4 visitors at church today! Yes, 3 of them were visiting family and all of them were from out of town, but it was a wonderful encouragement after the last couple "quiet" Sundays. We've had a lot of people traveling over the summer and early Fall. Sometimes I'm tempted to be discouraged when numbers are down, but the Lord continues to show us that "He is building and we are His workmen". We need to be faithful in our own attendance and prayers for spiritual and numerical growth. Praying that the Lord will soften and convict hearts that need to be saved. Praying that He will open up opportunities to witness and be a blessing to all those He brings into our lives. But, one of the greatest areas of ministry that He's given us is our own children! Training them and cultivating in them a love for the things of the Lord. Encouraging them in the day to day getting along and working together. Giving them our full attention in the "slower times" so that we can be a light in the "busy times". This is not something that I do well at every day. I often feel like I've completely failed at the end of the day. Like I've been impatient, inattentive, said the wrong things at the wrong moment, etc..., but I think what's important is that we don't let that discouragement lead to quitting, which equals long term failure. I'm thankful that the Lord gives us so many examples and verses in the Bible about those who messed up, but repented, got up and continued on for the Lord. When the complete story of our lives has been written, I truly hope that our lives are a reflection of what the Lord can do with a life fully surrendered to Him and His will.


To God Be The Glory Great Things He Hath Done!